Report sees possible threat to independence of crash tests at labs whose parent entity also develops roadside safety equipment.

Discussed and debated for decades, the vision of a freight rail tunnel across New York City’s harbor recently took a small step forward: The Federal Highway Administration and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey now are able to conduct environmental reviews on two preferred alternatives—a rail tunnel and a floating railcar option.

Program, part of 2016 appropriations measure, requires new projects it funds to be within 50 miles of old earmarked ones.